Monday, April 29, 2013

Secret Garden: Mixed Media Altered Shadow Box


Hello there bloggers! Arlene here again with a project for Graphic 45!

I've been having a great time creating mixed media pieces and recently spent some time figuring out what I wanted to create next. As I was going through my scraproom, I ran into a few of the 12x12 Matchbook Boxes by Graphic 45 that have been dying to be altered! So I got my hands a little dirty and created a new mixed media piece!

This Mixed Media Shadow Box is a unique piece using Graphic 45's Metal Staples and various other embellishments and flowers from my stash. So much fun!

I pulled together a 2 part video series that shows you step-by-step how I created this Mixed Media Altered Shadow Box. The video series can be accessed towards the bottom of this post.

This project will also be featured on the Graphic 45 blog HERE. But before you head over there, let me share some photos with you and talk you through the shadow box...

The photos on the layout were taken on my wedding day when I was in the hotel room with my bridesmaids and Mom, preparing for the wedding ceremony...


The 12x12 Matchbook Box is so fun to work with. There is a limitless amount of ways to alter this box.  I thought it would be fun to do some mixed media art on the "cover" and create a shadow box peeking into a scrapbook page.


Mixed media art is very liberating... throwing on the layers, textures and just having fun! I covered everything with gesso, then sprayed over the gesso with Lindy's Stamp Gang sprays in pinks, peaches and greens... You'll see
some of the metal embellishments, doilies and stenciling peeking through.


Here you'll see the Antique Metal Door Pull embellished with flowers... 


I used a variety of mulberry flowers including I Am Roses, Recollections and Prima...


Here is an up close picture where you can see the detail of the stenciling, stickers, doilies and flowers...


I love the Ornate Metal Door Plate and Knob. This set is one of my favorite metal Staples from Graphic 45...


I embossed the Metal Butterfly with an Impressions Folder, then shaped the wings with my jewelry pliers. I topped an Ornate Metal Key Hole over it and accented around with mulberry flowers...


I used an Imaginarium Designs chipboard phrase accented with angel wings by Tim Holz...


Here is a peek at the stenciling on the side of the box...


I adhered the layout to the inner "box" which slides out from the mixed media piece. I added a Staples Metal Tag topped with an Ornate Metal Label Holder to pull the box out...


Look at all the Graphic 45 Metal Staples goodness.... ♥


The box pulls right out to reveal the layout...


...the layout is adhered down to the inner box...


I used Graphic 45's Secret Garden collection on the layout... the papers and coordinating embellishments are just gorgeous! I love that the coordinating embellishments like the chipboard pieces, and stickers make creating so easy...



I altered this miniature flower pot and added a bouquet of I Am Roses flowers inside... I added a string of pearls, doilies and lace to add feminine charm to the project...


But then... I also added metal pieces to the layout to "pull in" the feel of the mixed media shell... 


Here is what the Matchbook Box looked like before the gesso and sprays...



Be sure to join me for my video tutorial series so you can see how to create one of these pieces for yourself! It was certainly a fun project to create and I hope you give it a try! ♥

Part 1



Part 2


Be sure to stop over at the Graphic 45 blog where this project will be featured today!

Thanks so much for joining me and have an AMAZING week ahead!

xoxo ♥,



Product List:

Secret Garden papers: Secret Garden, Meadow Lark, Springtime, Pretty Primrose
Secret Garden Chipboards 1 & 2, Stickers, Alphabet stickers
Staples: 12x12 Matchbook Box, Antique Metal Door pull, Ornate Metal Keyhole, Ornate Door Plate & Knob, Ornate Metal Label Holder, Metal Butterfly, Metal Tag, Metal Hinges 
Other Metal findings and embellishments from my stash
Doilies
Cheesecloth
I Am Roses flowers
Recollections flowers
Prima flowers
Imaginarium Designs chipboard phrase "Lifetime of Memories"
Miniature flower pot
Pearl string
Lace
stencils
Modeling Paste
Gesso
Mod Podge
Lindy's Stamp Gang sprays: Salt Water Taffy, Cotton Candy Pink, Cape Cod Coral, Sea Grass Green, My Mojito Green, Green with Envy Green
Scor Tape
E6000
3M ATG adhesive
Glossy Accents
Hot Glue


Saturday, April 27, 2013

Lindy's Stamp Gang's Birthday Blog Hop



Hey there! 

Welcome to the Lindy's Stamp Gang birthday hop! 
Today is the actual birth DAY of "the" Lindy of Lindy's Stamp Gang!

Happy Birthday, Lindy!

What an amazing lady she was! To learn more about Lindy, 
check out the Lindy's Stamp Gang website HERE.

What a perfect way to celebrate by having a FUN, super inspirational blog hop using Lindy's products! Prepare yourself for a deep dive into color and a spectacular range of talent as the LSG Design Team celebrates this special day!

To top it off, there are special "birthday presents" to be won! The presents are hidden in the design team members' blogs, so be sure to comment on each blog along the hop! Enter your chance to win, now through Saturday, May 4th 2013 (midnight). The special birthday presents include the following Lindy's Stamp Gang sets:

May Day Meadows Starburst set

Jamaican Jungle Color shot set

Beauty School Drop out set

Yellow label Moon Shadow set



If you found your way to my blog from the talented Ivett's blog, you are in the right place!

My project today is a birthday tag created using mixed media techiniques and a range of Lindy's Stamp Gang Starburst Sprays in yellows, pinks and greens (colors linked below in product list.)

Here are some pictures...




Here, you can see the detail and texture of the stenciling, lace, mini puzzle pieces and chicken wire...






As an added treat, I have a video tutorial to share with you so you can give one of these tags a try!
Click HERE to watch.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Next up on the hop is the super creative and sweet Sharon! ♥

In case you get lost along the way or are just joining us now, here's a list of who's hoppin' today:


Have an amazing week!


xoxo ♥,



Products

Medium weight chipboard (Tag base)
Lindy's Stamp Gang Starburst Sprays:
I Am Roses flowers
Graphic 45 Staples metal tag
"Happy Birthday" from Graphic 45 Place in Time "Sentiments"
Random Metal and vintage embellishments
Prima Resin bird & corner piece
May Arts ribbon
White doilies
Cheesecloth
Lace
Chicken wire
Stencils
Gesso
Mod Podge
Modeling Paste
Glossy Accents
E6000
Hot Glue



Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Graphic 45: "Happy Birthday" card using French Country



Hey there friends! ♥ 

Today I want to share a special birthday card I created for my Dad. 

This past week, my Dad celebrated his 67th birthday and I wanted to make him a special card. I typically reach for Graphic 45's A Proper Gentleman or Olde Curiosity Shoppe for my masculine cards. But this time, I went for French Country and the blues, greens and kraft colors were perfect!

Here are some photos...


I always manage to do things in threes... here you'll see 3 Stamped Metal Brads filling in some of the real estate on the top right of the card to create balance...


The eye is immediately drawn to the Metal Tag adorned with a vintage label from French Country, then topped with a clock, Momenta metal corner and a lion head "door knocker" charm from Sky Blue Pink.


I kept this card clean and simple... no grunge here today! 

Instead of flowers, I used a "bottle cap" label from the French Country Banners set and layered a Stamp Metal Brad on top...


Here's a peek at the inside of this card...

The sentiments on the front and inside of the card are from the Place in Time Sentiments sheet.




For additional photos, check out the Graphic 45 blog where this card will be featured today!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a sweet, crafty week! 

xoxo ♥,



Product list

MFT cardsstock - Hot Fudge
Paper Trey Ink Kraft cardstock
Ranger Distress Ink - Walnut Stain
Momento ornate metal corner
Spare Parts clock face
Lion face mini door pull (Sky Blue Pink)
3M ATG adhesive
Sticky Stuff Dimensionals
Glossy Accents
E6000 glue

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Graphic 45 A Ladies' Diary: "Sweet Nala" Layout


Hello blogging friends! I have a special scrapbook layout to share with you of my super precious and sweet baby girl yorkie Nala. I have a hubby and 3 little boys, so Nala adds the perfect touch of feminine balance to my household! ♥ She is just the sweetest little dog and I love her to pieces!

I created this scrapbook layout using one of my ALL TIME favorite Graphic 45 collections -- A Ladies' Diary! I love how Graphic 45 creates collections that you can use for all occasions. I've created wedding, birthday, family and personal keepsake projects using this collection. The papers are just THAT amazing! You can find several projects using A Ladies' Diary collection created by the design team on the Graphic 45 BLOG! It's just the right touch of inspiration to get your creative juices flowing! ♥

Here are some photos of the page I created:


I layered the design paper with Bazzill card stock and distressed the edges for a worn, shabby chic look...


I can't forget the doilies! They add the perfect layered touch to all projects. ♥
I also fussy cut flowers and clocks using the Moment in Time and Delicate Details papers...
(Don't you just love Nala's little pink dress? hehe!)


I added "Sweet" and "Nala" using the coordinating A Ladies' Diary alphabet stickers. The perfect companion when creating, along with the coordinating chipboard pieces!


Please be sure to hop on over to the Graphic 45 blog where my project will be featured today. My G45 DT teamie Maiko Miwa will also be sharing an AMAZING layout in the spirit of Project Life, so head over there NOW!


Thank you so much for joining me for today's project share!

Wishing you an AMAZING week. Happy crafting!

xoxo ♥,

Product List:

A Ladies Diary: 12x12 Paper Pad, Chipboard Die-cuts 1 & 2, Alphabet Stickers, Sticker Sheet
Bazzill cardstock
Recollections flowers
I Am Roses roses
White Doilies
Burlap twine
ScorTape
Dimensionals
3M ATG Adhesive
Tim Holtz distress tool



BLOGGER TEMPLATE BY DESIGNER BLOGS